Diablo Race #1 (Vernon, NJ)

At 2am on Saturday morning, Rachel and I reached the parking lot at Diablo. We decided to just lay our sleeping bags behind the car and catch some sleep in the lot before the sun rose. With the exception of one short visit from the security guard, it was a pleasant camping spot.

Once the sun came out, we ran over to the local Dunkin Donuts for breakfast and then I started practicing the course. After a few runs I decided to play it safe on race day. I chose to run the course at a comfortable pace instead of trying to crush the entire track - which meant running the risk of going off course or wrecking.

That night we hiked up the hill and set up my tent on the edge of the woods. It was another pleasant night of camping, even with the nonstop rain and thunder storms. The next morning we threw the tent and bags into our backpacks and quickly hiked back to the parking lot - all the while getting some confused looks from some of the Diablo staff. We just acted like there was nothing strange about us emerging from the woods on the edge of their park and again headed to Dunkin to start the day.

I took a couple more practice runs that morning to check out the condition of the track and then headed to the car to run through the race in my head. At 1:45 I headed to the start box and at 2pm I was headed down the hill. I kept to my original plan - avoiding any wrecks, but still pushing the pace while staying in my comfort zone. There were a few spots that I knew I'd run faster during practice, but overall the run was what I'd hoped for. When all was said and done, I'd landed in 7th place (out of 32 racers) - not bad for my first rodeo. I've now got a good sense of my abilities and have already started visualizing ways to speed up my run next time out.

After the race on Sunday we headed to NYC to visit some friends. It was a dizzying night, stopping by four people's houses and catching up on lost time with some of my absolute favorite people. Monday morning we grabbed breakfast with my friend Darryl and again hit the road - seven hours later we were back in Richmond. It was a LONG weekend, but man was it fun! I'm [reluctantly] taking a few weeks off from racing, then the bus will be headed to Snowhoe Resort in West Virginia. I hope to get two practice weekends in before their first race on June 21st.

Cap2Cap Century

Now that I am mentally recovered from the century yesterday, there are a few people I have to thank for an extremely painful day in the saddle.

Fuzzy pictures courtesy of Joni, my youngest one...

We rolled out with a strong team showing of eight guys. Fred Wittwer and Christine Williamson rounded out our ten spot with Ed chauffeuring Steve Tolley. So we were eleven deep. It was the making of a great day. Brent picked his way up to the front of the start and we never saw him again. He finished in the top group of riders, which had around ten guys and a ride time of 4:39. Christine rode her first half century, so congratulations to her on that. Criag did his forst century, on his second road ride. I believe he finished in 6:18. Steve & Ed rolled in maybe half an hour after that.

I knew that I was in for some pain and I was punishing myself for not riding all year. I was not disappointed. I am pretty sure that was the most painful ride that I have ever done. I must have looked like death on wheels. My legs just kept spinning, but the lack of miles in them took its toll with signs of cramping around 80 miles in and a small cramp at around 97 miles. Todd waited for me and I proceeded to do the one legged pedal for a while. Cramp gone and on to the finish. More than physical, it was a huge mental game for me. The team rocked, though. They never let me drop off the back without someone hanging back and pulling me back up. I am super stoked to be part of this team and it was awesome to see how much of a team we really are!

I have to give a huge thanks to Greg, Kevin, Todd & Fred for taking care of me all day long, especially the second half of the ride. Greg pulled like a madman - all day long. I think he was on the front for the last 5 miles, me barely clinging to his wheel. We ended up with a 5:11 ride time 5:50 total and it was pure punishment. Not bad considering it was four guys towing a fifth all day long...

Thanks again guys!

On a side note, we got multiple compliments on our team throughout the day. From pulling a lot of people around (not just me) to our kits and our colors.

MMM XXC

Wow what a day ! First off kudos to my teammate Mr Todd DA Machine Green for some kick ass riding. We rode wheel to wheel today the entire race. The rain and mud didn't dampen our parade either. Nothing but big miles and smiles today for this duo. The attrition rate was at least 25% so the main objective today was to finish safely. To be honest there were no lows today at all.....life was good. The terrain and elements were challenging but we embraced each with open arms. One of the many quotes today from Todd "next creek crossing these bikes are getting a bath". No podium finishes but everyone who crossed the line today was a winner.

Scout Camp

Thanks for everyone who came out and lended a hand at the Scout Camp for the Venture Weekend MTB clinics. It was a lot of fun, we only let a couple of kids get a feel for the ground and we actually picked up two new members for our efforts. David Richardson and Ellie Grove will be racing for us at the next Camp Hilbert race. Please make sure to introduce yourself when you see them at the races.

...Jason

Helemts are IN!

For those of you who went in on the first order of helmets, they are in at Rowletts. Please go by and pick them up at the shop. I will email out the list later just in case you forgot.

...Jason

It's BIKE MONTH!!

And I kicked it off riding in the misty dawn with a rain shell in my bag, just in case. Decent tailwind coming in, but I'm seeing a forecast for 25mph headwinds coming home. With rain.
But hey, at least I can enjoy pressed coffee at work now and not the garbage in the office coffee pot. And it's Friday.

Ride on everybody. It's bike month.